labmom

Hi all,

I am getting a head start on planning our family Christmas vacation. 8 people from 9 years old to 82......

Last year we rented a house in Costa Rica and everyone LOVED it.....this year the consensus is to try a new location and Belize looks like it might fit the bill. I am looking for recommendations on where to even start our search.....I really don't know much about the country and what areas would suit us best. I think we would split our time between the jungle and the beach. We are an active lot (even the 82 year old) and like hiking, ziplining, tubing, caving, et.....would like to do at least one ruin tour and we love the beach and all watersports.

Ideally we would like to find a villa rental (or condo) where we could all be under one roof, but also have the amenities of a resort.....does such a thing exist in Belize. There are times when my 82 year old mother would prefer to sit and read vs. going ziplining and leaving her behind in a home that was remotely located with no other people around tends to make her nervous.

So, my first question would be what two areas of the country would suit our rainforest/reef needs?? And, secondly, does anyone have any suggestions of rental properties or resorts that might meet our needs??

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

qwovadis

www.chabilmarvillas.com
www.robertsgrove.com
Couple of good beach resort villa options with jungle nearby.
belizefirst.com good general info.

volcanogirl

We stayed in the San Ignacio area for jungle and ruins and on Ambergris for beach. Loved both areas, but we stayed in hotels, so you'd have to poke around a little for rentals. If you wanted to stay in resorts, we loved Chaa Creek and Victoria House.

Just curious, where did you guys stay when you went to Costa Rica?

labmom

Thanks.....as it happens I just looked into chabil mar villas if we decided to stay in one location and if we are mobile I just looked at Chaa Creek and Victoria House....great minds. I'll check out Roberts Grove - thanks.

We stayed at Villa Kiskadee in Tulemar http://www.4tulemar.com I can not say enough great things about the villa manager, the location, the people....we just had a great time.

volcanogirl

Ah, yes, Tulemar is very popular.

volcanogirl

I forgot to add that if you wanted to, you could go over to Tikal in Guatemala for the day from San Ignacio. Gorgeous ruins there. Pacz is a good tour company if you need one.

Patty

Take a look at the Belize River House at duPlooy's http://www.duplooys.com/rooms/belize-river-house.php

It's near San Ignacio just a short canoe ride from Chaa Creek. Our much smaller group stayed in one half of the house (Macal suite side). You'd have access to the facilities on site and they can arrange tours (or you can book tours through one of the independent operators like Pacz who will pick you up).

volcanogirl

I haven't stayed there, but Mahogany Hall also gets good reviews and recommendations.

joan95448

Another recommendation here for Duplooys Jungle Lodge. We will be on our 3rd visit there this June.

labmom

Thanks everyone.......keep 'em coming!